When conducting physical examinations and head to toe surveys the acronym DCAP-BTLS can help in your discovery of injuries.

Although not everyone likes acronyms, DCAP-BTLS is a useful way to structure your thinking when conducting a thorough check for injuries. So what does DCAP-BTLS stand for?

• Deformity
• Contusions (bruising)
• Abrasions
• Penetrations, punctures or paradoxical movement

• Burns
• Tenderness (pain on pressing/touching)
• Lacerations
• Swelling

Our blog post discussing the secondary survey goes into more detail on other aspects of patient assessment. 

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